Needles of Wellness: Exploring the Transformative Benefits of Acupuncture

Year : 2025 | Volume : 15 | Issue : 02 | Page : 1 9
    By

    Mohd. Wasiullah,

  • Piyush Yadav,

  • Ankit Kumar,

  1. Principal, Department of Pharmacy, Prasad Institute of Technology, Jaunpur, Uttar Pradesh, India
  2. Academic Head, Department of Pharmacy, Prasad Institute of Technology, Jaunpur, Uttar Pradesh, India
  3. Scholar, Department of Pharmacy, Prasad Institute of Technology, Jaunpur, Uttar Pradesh, India

Abstract

Acupuncture, rooted in traditional Chinese medicine, has expanded beyond treating physical pain to playing a significant role in mental wellness. The term “Needles of Wellness” captures its dual benefits in pain relief and emotional health. While effective for conditions, like osteoarthritis and migraines, recent studies show its growing use in managing anxiety, depression, insomnia, and PTSD. Stimulating specific body points modulates the autonomic nervous system, reducing cortisol and enhancing endorphin and serotonin release. These changes lower stress, regulate mood, and promote relaxation, making acupuncture a valuable non-pharmacological therapy. Its non-invasive, drug-free nature appeals to those seeking natural, holistic treatment options that support the body’s self-healing and emotional balance. This approach aligns with modern integrative care, which emphasizes the mind-body connection. Research highlights acupuncture’s potential in enhancing physical and mental health without the side effects of invasive procedures or medications. As interest in holistic healthcare grows, acupuncture is becoming a vital part of multidisciplinary wellness strategies, underscoring the interconnectedness of physical and emotional health and promoting comprehensive well-being.

Keywords: acupuncture, pain management, mental wellness, holistic therapy, needles of wellness

[This article belongs to Research and Reviews: A Journal of Medicine ]

How to cite this article:
Mohd. Wasiullah, Piyush Yadav, Ankit Kumar. Needles of Wellness: Exploring the Transformative Benefits of Acupuncture. Research and Reviews: A Journal of Medicine. 2025; 15(02):1-9.
How to cite this URL:
Mohd. Wasiullah, Piyush Yadav, Ankit Kumar. Needles of Wellness: Exploring the Transformative Benefits of Acupuncture. Research and Reviews: A Journal of Medicine. 2025; 15(02):1-9. Available from: https://journals.stmjournals.com/rrjom/article=2025/view=209639


References

  1. Vickers AP, Wilson JK. Effectiveness Bulletin: Acupuncture.  2002. Available from: qualityhealthcare.com
  2. Audette JF, Ryan AH. The role of acupuncture in pain management. Phys Med Rehabil Clin N Am. 2004;15(4):749–72.
  3. Baldry PE. Acupuncture, trigger points and musculoskeletal pain. Amsterdam: Elsevier; 1989.
  4. Bullock ML, Umen AJ, Culliton PD, Olander RT. Acupuncture treatment of alcoholic recidivism: A pilot study. Alcohol Clin Exp Res. 1987;11(3):292–5.
  5. Ceccherelli F, Ambrosio F, Adami MG. Failure of high-frequency auricular electrical stimulation to relieve postoperative pain after cholecystectomy. Results not improved by administration of aprotinin. Dtsch Z Akupunktur. 1985;28:87–92.
  6. Chen L, Tang J, White PF, Sloninsky A, Wender RH, Naruse R, et al. The effect of location of transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation on postoperative opioid analgesic requirement: Acupoint versus nonacupoint stimulation. Anesth Analg. 1998;87(5):1129–34.
  7. Christensen PA, Noreng M, Andersen PE, Nielsen JW. Electroacupuncture and postoperative pain. Br J Anaesth. 1989;62(3):258–62.
  8. Ernst E. Acupuncture: A critical analysis. J Intern Med. 2006;259(2):125–37. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2796.2005.01584.x
  9. Ernst E, Pittler MH, Stevinson C, White A. The desktop guide to complementary and alternative medicine: An evidence-based approach. Edinburgh: Mosby; 2001.
  10. Franke A, Gebauer S, Franke K, Brockow T. Acupuncture massage vs. Swedish massage and individual exercise vs. group exercise in low back pain sufferers: A randomized controlled clinical trial in a 2×2 factorial design. Forsch Komplementarmed Klass Naturheilkd. 2000;7(6):286–93.
  11. Gosman-Hedström G, Claesson L, Klingenstierna U, Carlsson J, Olausson B, Frizell M, et al. Effects of acupuncture treatment on daily life activities and quality of life: A controlled, prospective, and randomized study of acute stroke patients. Stroke. 1998;29(10):2100–8.
  12. Heine H. Periphere Schmerzverarbeitung an Gelenken durch Akupunktur–Bedeutung des Parasympathikus. Dtsch Z Akupunktur. 2004;47(3):15–23.
  13. Ho MW, Knight DP. The acupuncture system and the liquid crystalline collagen fibers of the connective tissues. Am J Chin Med. 1998;26(3–4):251–63.
  14. Hsieh JC, Tu CH, Chen FP, Chen MC, Yeh TC, Cheng HC, et al. Activation of the hypothalamus characterizes the acupuncture stimulation at the analgesic point in humans: A positron emission tomography study. Neurosci Lett. 2001;307(2):105–8.
  15. Hullender Rubin LE. Point of Influence: What is the role of acupuncture in in vitro fertilization outcomes? Med Acupunct. 2019;31(6):329–33.
  16. Imrie RH, Ramey DW, Buell PD, Ernst E, Basser SP. Veterinary acupuncture and historical scholarship: Claims for the antiquity of acupuncture. Sci Rev Altern Med. 2001;5:135–41.
  17. Johansson BB, Haker E, von Arbin M, Britton M, Långström G, Terént A, et al. Acupuncture and transcutaneous nerve stimulation in stroke rehabilitation: A randomized, controlled trial. Stroke. 2001;32(3):707–13.
  18. Joos S, Schott C, Zou H, Daniel V, Martin E. Immunomodulatory effects of acupuncture in the treatment of allergic asthma: A randomized controlled study. J Altern Complement Med. 2000;6(6):519–25.
  19. Kaplan G. A brief history of acupuncture’s journey to the West. J Altern Complement Med. 1997;3(Suppl 1):S–5.
  20. KV E. China’s traditional medicine. In: Fundamentals of Complementary and Alternative Medicine. New York: Elsevier; 1996. p. 185–223.
  21. Lin JG, Kotha P, Chen YH. Understandings of acupuncture application and mechanisms. Am J Transl Res. 2022;14(3). Available from: ajtr.org
  22. Liu XY, Zhou HF, Pan YL, Liang XB, Niu DB, Xue B, et al. Electro-acupuncture stimulation protects dopaminergic neurons from inflammation-mediated damage in medial forebrain bundle-transected rats. Exp Neurol. 2004;189(1):189–96.
  23. Ma KW. The roots and development of Chinese acupuncture: From prehistory to early 20th century. Acupunct Med. 1992;10(1 Suppl):92–9.
  24. Mann F. A new system of acupuncture. Med Acupunct A West Sci Approach. 1998;61–6.
  25. Medici TC. Acupuncture and bronchial asthma. Schweiz Med Wochenschr Suppl. 1994;62:39–48.
  26. Napadow V, Makris N, Liu J, Kettner NW, Kwong KK, Hui KK. Effects of electroacupuncture versus manual acupuncture on the human brain as measured by fMRI. Hum Brain Mapp. 2005;24(3):193–205.
  27. Odsberg A, Schill U, Haker E. Acupuncture treatment: Side effects and complications reported by Swedish physiotherapists. Complement Ther Med. 2001;9(1):17–20.
  28. Park HJ, Lim S, Joo WS, Yin CS, Lee HS, Lee HJ, et al. Acupuncture prevents 6-hydroxydopamine-induced neuronal death in the nigrostriatal dopaminergic system in the rat Parkinson’s disease model. Exp Neurol. 2003;180(1):93–8.
  29. Park J, White AR, Ernst E. Efficacy of acupuncture as a treatment for tinnitus: A systematic review. Arch Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2000;126(4):489–92.
  30. Rampes H, Pereira S, Mortimer A, Manoharan S, Knowles M. Does electroacupuncture reduce craving for alcohol? A randomized controlled study. Complement Ther Med. 1997;5(1):19–26.
  31. Sapir-Weise R, Berglund M, Frank A, Kristenson H. Acupuncture in alcoholism treatment: A randomized outpatient study. Alcohol Alcohol. 1999;34(4):629–35.
  32. Schwager KL, Baines DB, Meyer RJ. Acupuncture and postoperative vomiting in day-stay paediatric patients. Anaesth Intensive Care. 1996;24(6):674–7.
  33. Shetty GB, Shetty B, Mooventhan A. Efficacy of acupuncture in the management of primary dysmenorrhea: A randomized controlled trial. J Acupunct Meridian Stud. 2018;11(4):153–8.
  34. Siedentopf C, Golaszewski S, Haala I, Mottaghy F, Felber S, Schlager A. Die funktionelle Magnetresonanz-Tomographie in der Akupunkturforschung. Dtsch Z Akupunktur. 2004;47(3):6–13.
  35. Silagy C. Nicotine replacement therapy for smoking cessation (Cochrane Review). Cochrane Libr. 2003;3.
  36. Tillu A, Roberts C, Tillu S. Unilateral versus bilateral acupuncture on knee function in advanced osteoarthritis of the knee: A prospective randomized trial. Acupunct Med. 2001;19(1):15–8.
  37. Vickers A. Examining complementary medicine. Cheltenham: Nelson Thornes; 1998.
  38. Wei Y, Wang J, Qu R, Zhang W, Tan Y, Sha Y, et al. Genetic mechanisms of fertilization failure and early embryonic arrest: A comprehensive review. Hum Reprod Update. 2024;30(1):48–80.
  39. Wells EA, Jackson R, Diaz R, Stanton V, Saxon AJ, Krupski A. Acupuncture as an adjunct to methadone treatment services. Am J Addict. 1995;4(3):198–214.
  40. White A, Ernst E. A brief history of acupuncture. Rheumatology (Oxford). 2004;43(5):662–3.
  41. Yamashita H, Tsukayama H, Tanno Y, Nishijo K. Adverse events in acupuncture and moxibustion treatment: A six-year survey at a national clinic in Japan. J Altern Complement Med. 1999;5(3):229–36.
  42. Wang X, Zeng X, Li D, Zhu C, Guo X, Feng L, et al. PARP inhibitors in small cell lung cancer: The underlying mechanisms and clinical implications. Biomedicine & Pharmacotherapy. 2022 Jul 23; 153:113458–8. Available from: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0753332222008472
  43. Zhu J, Li J, Yang L, Liu S. Acupuncture, from the ancient to the current. Anat Rec (Hoboken). 2021;304(11):2365–71. https://doi.org/10.1002/ar.24625.
Regular Issue Subscription Review Article
Volume 15
Issue 02
Received 14/12/2024
Accepted 24/04/2025
Published 06/05/2025
Publication Time 143 Days
108

Login


My IP

PlumX Metrics